Barnes & Noble Removes DC Comics After Exclusive Amazon Deal

Barnes & Noble has begun pulling off works from DC Entertainment, formerly known as DC Comics, from its shelves, in response to the publisher's agreement to exclusively offer digital versions in Amazon Kindle format.

Last week when Amazon launched the Kindle Fire, a $199 7-inch Android tablet, it also announced an exclusive partnership with DC Entertainment to sell its digital comic books. DC will start by bringing 100 original graphic novels to the digital screen, and will offer more than 50 new comic books on the same day in digital and print.

But clearly this didn't sit so well with Barnes & Noble, which offers the Nook reader.

According to Bleeding Cool, B&N sent an email to its stores on Thursday, instructing them to remove the hundred-odd graphic novels published by DC Entertainment, although they will still be offered at B&N's online store.

Confirming the decision, B&N said in a statement, "Barnes & Noble works with thousands of publishers to bring customers the world's largest selection of physical and digital reading content. However, regardless of the publisher, we will not stock physical books in our stores if we are not offered the available digital format.

"In a few isolated instances, exclusive publisher deals have prohibited Barnes & Noble from selling certain eBooks, preventing millions of our digital customers from access to those titles," B&N added. "To sell and promote the physical book in our store showrooms, and not have the eBook available for sale would undermine our promise to Barnes & Noble customers to make available any book, anywhere, anytime."

DC Entertainment, whose repertoire includes the Batman franchise, Superman, the Watchmen, and more, said in a statement, "We are disappointed that Barnes & Noble has made the decision to remove these books off their shelves and make them unavailable to their customers. DC Entertainment will continue to make our content available to our fans and new readers through multiple distribution channels including locally-owned comic book retailers, independent bookstores, other bookstore chains and other widespread means such as online through Amazon and through our apps on iOS and select Android powered devices as well as new and exciting devices going forward."

Tablet owners who aren't planning to shell out $199 for the Amazon Kindle Fire can still view digital versions of DC Entertainment graphic novels by downloading the Kindle or DC Entertainment apps.

Last week at the launch of the Kindle Fire, Amazon wouldn't let journalists actually touch the product, but lead tablet analyst Sascha Segan got a good "Eyes On" With the Amazon Kindle Fire. Click on the slideshow below for more photos. Amazon also launched three other Kindles last week.